BVA Membership forum

Re: BVA Membership forum

Bob Russell — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 14:28:51 GMT

Not surprised at all by the BVA. They do seem somewhat overconfident and poor at communication. They could have asked for members input in advance but I have not seen any evidence that they tried!

They have our subscriptions to spend so have a degree of buffer from the outside world!

Re: BVA Membership forum

Arlo Guthrie — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 14:11:40 GMT

[quote user="Bob Russell"] Arlo - have you contacted the BVA? [/quote]

No - there doesn't seem any point now. I've heard BVA has already bought the software, and it is a VetSurgeon copycat that will have cost BVA an arm and a leg. As JGW has pointed out, there is an announcement on the BVA site that it is launching imminently. So what's left to discuss? BVA is hardly going to cancel its plans after all the money it will have spent so far.

I'm a bit surprised BVA never contacted us to explore whether there was the opportunity to work together. But they didn't. So now there are two.

Still, I'm much more upbeat about it all than when I first heard the news. On reflection, there are quite a few reasons why I'm confident that VetSurgeon.org will remain the leader.

Re: BVA Membership forum

Bob Russell — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 13:36:13 GMT

Arlo - have you contacted the BVA?

They do already work with what used to be Cairn's Veterinary Bookshop which is, I understand an outside and independent business so there is a precedent for working with a commercial enterprise.

From their point of view it should be seen as a very easy way to get a ready made and functioning forum. The only issue I can see would be that it is available to non-BVA members.

It is not rocket science to integrate BVA membership numbers if necessary.

I suspect that, like a number of things the BVA do it is already set up without consulting the members.

Re: BVA Membership forum

Mark Holmes — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 13:26:39 GMT

[quote user="Utlendigur"]

[quote user="Bob Russell"]

What proportion of vets are BVA members?

[/quote]

Maybe we need a poll...

I cancelled my BVA membership this year - just couldn't see enough benefits to justify the cost.

[/quote]

I am a BVA member but to be honest I am not sure I am happy with them spending it on duplicating what is already out there. I would prefer them to be working with Vet surgeon rather than duplicating what is an already established, well run and enjoyable timedump.... er sorry Arlo community

As Tim said, there is potential for too much fragmentation.

Re: BVA Membership forum

Hannah Wynne Richards — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 10:43:42 GMT

I thinkt here's room for both The BVA forum to influence official policy of an organisation that represents our profession, and this forum for a more friendly,informal discussion

Wynne

Re: BVA Membership forum

J G Wray — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 15:28:03 GMT

[quote user="Bob Russell"] The level of small animal input when opinions are put forward to the authorities seems notable by its absence as it seems that large animal/industry are the main parts of the profession represented.[/quote]

Very well said. Not being LA/Industry biased is singularly in vetsurgeons.org's favour.

JGW

Re: BVA Membership forum

Bob Russell — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 14:38:16 GMT

I am considering cancelling my BVA membership as the VR is rarely of interest, In Practice is good. The level of small animal input when opinions are put forward to the authorities seems notable by its absence as it seems that large animal/industry are the main parts of the profession represented. I suspect this is because most vets do not have time to joint committees!

Re: BVA Membership forum

Rob Davis — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 12:58:17 GMT

[quote user="Utlendigur"]I cancelled my BVA membership this year - just couldn't see enough benefits to justify the cost.[/quote]

I gave up BVA membership around 5 years ago, the only thing I miss is In Practice

Re: BVA Membership forum

Utlendigur — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 20:07:55 GMT

[quote user="Bob Russell"]

What proportion of vets are BVA members?

[/quote]

Maybe we need a poll...

I cancelled my BVA membership this year - just couldn't see enough benefits to justify the cost.

Re: BVA Membership forum

Arlo Guthrie — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 19:27:28 GMT

[quote user="Malcolm Ness"] My money is on Arlo![/quote]

I wish that read 'My money is in the post to Arlo'

Still, I appreciate the sentiment - thanks Malcolm

[quote user="alex gough"]Don't fret Arlo, I think vetsurg is here to stay![/quote]

And that one too, Alex, thank you

Re: BVA Membership forum

J G Wray — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 19:25:29 GMT

[quote user="alex gough"]I doubt BVA will find someone as proactive as Arlo driving the site[/quote]

Whilst man cannot live on ether alone, this is a v good point. It was made to BVA very early on when they set up their members forum and which they did not take up. It'll be interesting to see if they paid attention.

I wonder if they're going to continue with their VetsTV/Geldoff thingy, because they were tied in for a number of years?

JGW

Re: BVA Membership forum

Arlo Guthrie — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 19:24:38 GMT

[quote user="J G Wray"] I think you mean it's a battle to get advertising in front of community members. [/quote]

No, that isn't what I mean.

In fact, VetSurgeon is a very lean operation. That's as in VERY lean. So lean that even if advertising revenue were to disappear overnight, VetSurgeon.org could and would continue indefinitely.

Sure BVA has a subscription income. But then again, BVA has very considerable overheads.

[quote user="J G Wray"]

I suppose it's what the members here value most and pursue it.

[/quote]Not sure I understand

Re: BVA Membership forum

J G Wray — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 19:09:24 GMT

[quote user="Arlo Guthrie"]In the end, I suppose it'll be a battle for community members in the same way as print journals have historically fought over readers.[/quote]

I think you mean it's a battle to get advertising in front of community members.

BVA also have an advantage because they have a subscription income, which is a bit daunting.

BVA have done this as part of their restructuring. That is their compromise. You do not have that baggage.

I suppose it's what the members here value most and pursue it.

JGW

Re: BVA Membership forum

Alex Gough — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 18:12:30 GMT

I think vetsurgeon is pretty well-established, lots of fun, and I doubt BVA will find someone as proactive as Arlo driving the site. Don't fret Arlo, I think vetsurg is here to stay!

Re: BVA Membership forum

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 17:27:40 GMT

[quote user="J G Wray"]debate important issues and, importantly, to influence BVA policies and decisions. Our regional representatives will be contactable[/quote]

So it should hive off some probably very important but really really boring stuff. I don't see it as direct competition to vetsurgeon.org.

Re: BVA Membership forum

Malcolm Ness — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 17:12:58 GMT

[quote user="Arlo Guthrie"]I'm not going down without a very big fight![/quote]

My money is on Arlo!

Re: BVA Membership forum

Arlo Guthrie — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 16:15:58 GMT

[quote user="J G Wray"] If this "new online community platform" really does produce debate and influence on BVA policy, whither vetsurgeon.org?[/quote]

Good question.

I heard about this for the first time yesterday.

I think there is room for a community that is not run by BVA, not least because I suspect (hope) that not everyone will want to belong to a BVA community.

In the end, I suppose it'll be a battle for community members in the same way as print journals have historically fought over readers.

I'm not going down without a very big fight!

Re: BVA Membership forum

fluffygirl — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 16:00:10 GMT

[quote user="alison howell"]

Have used the BVA young vets forum before, but I find it not as user friendly as this one and much less aesthetically pleasing.

[/quote]

Ditto. Maybe thats why they're relaunching it?

Re: BVA Membership forum

vs0u — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 15:30:18 GMT

Have used the BVA young vets forum before, but I find it not as user friendly as this one and much less aesthetically pleasing.

Re: BVA Membership forum

Bob Russell — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 14:58:59 GMT

Not much chance of that I suspect. There has been a BVA forum for a long time and there is little activity on it.

I suspect things will be discussed on here then passed across if necessary to the BVA. I do check the BVA website regularly but most things are reported after the event. It can only be good to have better access to regional representatives so they can actually represent rather than follow their own agenda.

What proportion of vets are BVA members?

Re: BVA Membership forum

Gillian Mostyn — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 14:57:47 GMT

Re: BVA Membership forum

Tim Mainland — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 14:56:43 GMT

Too much fragmentation. There are already too many "other places". The chatter becomes well just chatter. Talk to them Arlo before its too late!